(Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
David Beckham had to contend with a bum-numbing watching brief from the bench for the entire 90 minutes of England's 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia yesterday.
Shaun Wright Phillips started on the right side of midfield, and both Aaron Lennon and James Milner were preferred ahead of Beckham as substitutes by Fabio Capello, while Theo Walcott wasn't even there.
The Italian was happy to help nudge Beckham over the line to become England's most capped outfield player. But now that's out of the way, Beckham did not even get his token cameo appearance.
Which begs the inevitable question: would Beckham be a mere passenger on the England flight to South Africa next year?
The argument for taking Beckham to the World Cup is three-fold.
One: He still has one of the best in the business at delivering from a dead ball situation. Whether it be a free kick or a corner, he could conjure a moment of magic at any time, usually an assist for the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, but perhaps even a goal.
He has scored free-kicks in the World Cup before, after all. He can also play in central midfield, sitting deep and pinging balls forward as part of Plan B when England are scrambling for a late equaliser.
Two: His experience will be crucial in the dressing room. Allied to this, his attendance may also deflect a little attention from some of the more important players in the team, such as Wayne Rooney.
Three: Transporting Beckham-mania to South Africa, with all proceeds thus going to the FA.
Let's put these points under the microscope.
One: Beckham still has a great delivery, but it is still overrated; it is not as consistent as it used to be. Above all though, to say that we have other players with the quality to compensate for Beckham's absence is an understatement. The likes of Gerrard, Lampard, and Rooney can all take free kicks and corners, with the power, swing and accuracy expected of a modern A1 footballer.
From open play, Walcott, Lennon and Wright-Phillips are all ahead of him in terms of pace and stamina. There isn't room for four right wingers in a 23 man squad is there? And Gerrard can fill the role of Plan B, if it's at all needed.
Two: This is difficult to judge from the outside looking in, so you have to give Beckham the benefit of the doubt here.
Whether the likes of experienced pros such as Terry, the captain, and Lampard privately feel that his contribution off the pitch is that vital, only they know. Some of the younger players certainly seem to value his advice, but do they need a baby sitter?
Three: The fanfare attached to Beckham was part of the attraction for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and AC Milan. You can be assured that the FA's marketing department will be working on ways to take advantage of Beckham's popularity if he does make the squad.
It's not a footballing reason though, and if Capello's Iron Fist is clenched as tightly as it seems, he won't allow this to affect his selection policy.
A lot will depend on whether Beckham goes back to AC Milan or somewhere else in Europe good enough to prolong his match sharpness and fitness.
There's a long way to go but it's starting to look bleak for Becks. Is there really room for him on that flight?
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